East Tennessee State University - Buccaneer Yearbook (Johnson City, TN)

Page 16 text:

A decade of “lazy” put behind us The past decade has been a collage of emotional peaks and historic events. Perhaps no other time period in the history of the United States has been as hard to characterize as the seventies. During the 50’s and 60’s, the United States en- joyed a period of growth and prosperity. Our influ- ence was felt worldwide as the undisputed king of the hill. Expansion was the key word from business to foreign policy. With the beginning of the seventies, the disillu- sionment of U.S. youth reached its pinnacle. It was the end of the era of growth. Kent State and rising protest against the war in Viet Nam coupled with the debacle of Watergate led to cynicism and distrust of our governmental leaders. Even within the counter- culture itself tragedy manifested in the killings at Al- tamont. The last half of the seventies was a time of regroup- ing and conservation. Energy became the most im- portant thing on people’s minds. Third world coun- tries emerged as the dictators of our own economy. 12 The 70's Increased tension between the United States and the Soviet Union led many to believe that the cold war had returned. Colleges experienced a period of unprecedented growth during the seventies. People of all ages flocked to campuses to better prepare for an increas- ingly competitive job market. Fraternities and sororities rebounded from the de- cline in membership experienced during the late 60’s. Increased involvement however, did not rekin- die old fervor. The student of the seventies has had to become more aware of individual and collective lifestyle. In- creased costs of energy and living expenses have forced an awareness of conservations. The tight job market has made specialization a must and competi- tion a necessity. Survival is guaranteed only to those cognizant of their surroundings. Understanding is the key. - Keith Miles (4) Artwork by Georgia Nagle and jill Millsap